Peter Purvis strikes me as a person who’d rather play than talk. But when he starts talking about music, it gets very interesting. I guess this is due to the part of him that loves teaching music. Growing up in the Ottawa valley immersed him to the culture of fiddle players, step dancers and yes … Continue reading »
Also in this edition: NUA A painter’s paradise: Eva McCauley talks about how in Ireland, “the air is infused with moisture, and because of that, there is a luminosity to the light that is very unique, and an incredible thing for a painter to experience.” Technology has a way of bringing visual artists and musicians … Continue reading »
Also in this edition: Lori Watson and Rule Of Three and Kernowpods Between working with the London Philharmonic orchestra, recording for the next “Lord of the Rings” film, “Hobbit Movie” and completing being part of Jamie Smith’s Mabon’s Windblown, Calum Stewart took the time to talk to us about his career and how it all … Continue reading »
Plus: Nova Scotia singer/songwriter Layne Greene for our EP review, Lady of the Woods: New Single from Jamie Smith’s Mabon album Windblown and Cormac O Caoimh https://www.facebook.com/corrinahewat http://www.corrinahewat.com/ http://www.unusualsuspects.uk.com/ http://www.myspace.com/unusualsuspectsscotland Corrina Hewat is our featured artist this week. She is a mom, a harp teacher, and a good friend to the harp community. She is … Continue reading »
I like both The Bombadils and Raftmen. The former is a Celtic fusion band and the latter a classically influenced folk/rock band. What do they have in common? Both are from Canada and they are bands where my featured artist Luke Fraser plays for. He is a native of Nova Scotia . Now he is … Continue reading »
Jamie Smith’s MABON: Concerts, changes and the new album. I posted my first article about Jamie Smith’s MABON in May 5, 2010. Back then the band were known as Mabon. They appeared in posts as it is hard not to notice them. Everyone was either tweeting about them or just posting status updates with youtube … Continue reading »
Album launch, great instruments and feeking around: The Feekers! Album launchings online and offline are interesting. You always get to pick the unexpected. Such as the luck I found with Tarbolten. It’s the debut album from Dublin based duo The Feekers. Aside from the interesting album title and of course what their band name means, … Continue reading »
Bodhran players have all the fun in the world as shown in this interview I did with award-winning Bodhrán player Jacob McCauley. He moved around a LOT in February. His numerous gigs in Europe proved to be an exciting story and I am capturing that spirit here and what he took with him in his travels. 1. So what memorable … Continue reading »
Generally we have an idea in our heads of what sort of ‘feel’ we can imagine for a song but sometimes it ends up being totally different to the first template! For instance, in ‘Gazz’, that developed from Roberto playing a riff on the upright bass then each of us just joining in with … Continue reading »
Having a twin means you always have a best friend! You have someone that understands you and supports you in everything you do. When I heard Carli and Julie Kennedy, the initial impression was the amazing vocal harmonies they create. They have beautiful voices and are so talented with instruments and songwriting. On top … Continue reading »
Answers from the Godfather. I have been a Marc Gunn newsletter subscriber for as long as I started blogging. He writes, performs and at the same time reviews Celtic music. One day I had this idea to drop these questions and see what comes out of them. Read below: 1. How did you learn to … Continue reading »
Last week I passed around the pen to my musician friends and their two cents on the word Peace. They came up with interesting answers. It comes from within-Ewen Henderson I think peace is achieved when the mind is no longer striving/searching/comparing, or measuring itself against all we see and experience. Then there is awareness, … Continue reading »
Traditional Irish Musician on Whistle/Flute/Keyboard from the heart of Ireland talks to CMF! Passion affects people around you. When you love what you do, everyone will feel it. This awareness creates enthusiasm. And therefore in your own way, you affect the universe. It’s like magic: The ability to make people hope..and even dream… There are … Continue reading »
Article plus Interview 2 traditional Irish jigs. Phil: fiddles and bass Dave:guitars, mandolin and bodhrun. for info on how to buy the new CD “THE VISIT” by Dave Palmley and Phil Holland write to lmcrecords2011@gmail.com The Visit is one of my most played album this month as we mark our departure from Yule and … Continue reading »
As always it is not the destination that counts but the journey. It is impossible to get into the center of ourselves when we have inhibitions, hang ups and the tendency for stereotyping. Music speaks in any language, be it Irish, Breton, Welsh, English or Latin. It is our emotional responses to it that really matters … Continue reading »
